Aim: Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is one of the most frequent human brain tumor and causes dismal outcome. To identify tumor-associated antigens in GBM patients may find potential diagnostic markers and immunotherapeutic targets. In this study, we identified a gene termed URGCP using the serological identification of antigens by recombinant A2B5 positive glioma cDNA library. The gene product of URGCP is immunogenic in GBM after tested in allogenic patients serum screening.
Methods and results: GBM patients with an auto-antibody response against URGCP show longer survival than those without URGCP response. In additional, we show that URGCP was high expression in most GBM tissues and cell lines compared with normal brain tissues and majorly co-expressed with stem cell marker A2B5.
Conclusion: We identified a potential new biomarker of GBM, URGCP. The findings indicate that URGCP is immunogenic in human GBM and suggest its potential use as diagnostic and immunotherapeutic for GBM patients.
Keywords: A2B5; GBM; SEREX; URGCP.
© 2013 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.